Are you looking to import and export navigation menus in WordPress?
The built-in import/export feature in WordPress allows you to transfer menus as part of a complete site migration, but it does not support importing and exporting menus individually.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of importing and exporting navigation menus in WordPress without needing to migrate your entire site.
Why Should You Import and Export Navigation Menus in WordPress?
Every WordPress site comes equipped with import and export functionalities, which you can access by navigating toTools » ImportandTools » Exportin your WordPress dashboard.
Here, you have the option to export all content or selectively export only your posts, pages, or media.
If you choose ‘All content,’ WordPress will export all your pages and posts, along with comments, custom fields, terms, custom post types, and navigation menus.
However, there may be instances when you only wish to export the navigation menu. For example, if you’re launching a sister site for a new product and want to maintain the same menu structure and design.
With this in mind, let’s explore how to duplicate a navigation menu to a new WordPress blog without transferring the other content.
A Comprehensive Guide to Exporting and Importing Navigation Menus in WordPress
Before proceeding, ensure that you are satisfied with the menu you intend to export. You may want to modify the menu’s design, emphasize key items, or make other adjustments.
You can locate your site’s menu by navigating toAppearance » Menusin the WordPress dashboard.
For further instructions on modifying the menu, please refer to our in-depth guide on adding a navigation menu in WordPress.
Next, install and activate the WPS Menu Exporter plugin. For detailed instructions, check out our step-by-step guide on installing a WordPress plugin.
Once activated, navigate toTools » Exportin your WordPress admin dashboard.
You will see a new option to export navigation menu items, which includes the menu itself along with all associated content. The plugin will also export any comments made on the linked posts.
To export this content, simply select the ‘Navigation Menu Items’ radio button and click the ‘Download Export File’ button.
This action will download the navigation menu along with all its linked pages and comments.
All this content is saved in an .xml file namedsite.wordpress.yyyy-mm-dd, where “site” refers to your website’s name, and “yyyy-mm-dd” indicates the date you created the download.
Importing Your WordPress Menu to Your New Website
You can now import the .xml file using the standard Import feature in WordPress.
Before starting, ensure that the destination website does not have any pages with the same name as the new menu, including any pages in the trash. Skipping this step may result in WordPress not importing those pages correctly.
Next, log into the website where you want to import the navigation menu. Then, navigate toTools » Import.
If you haven’t done so already, you may need to install the WordPress importer tool. Look for the ‘WordPress’ section and click ‘Install Now.’
Once the WordPress importer is installed, you will see a new ‘Run Importer’ link.
Click on this link to proceed.
On the Import WordPress screen, click the ‘Choose file’ button and select the .xml file you downloaded earlier.
Then, click the ‘Upload file and import’ button.
On the following screen, WordPress will prompt you to assign the imported content to an author.
If you manage a multi-author WordPress blog, you can select a username from the ‘assign posts to an existing user’ dropdown menu.
Alternatively, you can create a new user or author for this content by entering a username in the ‘create new user…’ field.
If you are importing pages along with the menu, make sure to check the ‘Download and import file attachments’ option to include any images in the import.
Once you are satisfied with the import settings, click the ‘Submit’ button.
After a moment, you should see a confirmation message indicating that the import was successful.
Viewing Your Imported Menu and Pages
To view the imported menu, navigate to Appearance » Menus. Here, you can verify that everything is configured correctly.
You may also wish to modify the imported menu by adding features like a search bar or social media icons.
Additionally, you can click on the Pages tab in your WordPress dashboard to ensure that any linked pages, comments, and images were successfully imported along with the menu.
We trust this guide has assisted you in understanding the process of importing and exporting navigation menus in WordPress. You may also find our tutorial on adding topics to navigation menus helpful, along with our curated selection of the best resources for mastering WordPress navigation menus.
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